Joe Biden: Is His Son Hunter's Art a Risk of Corruption?

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Hunter Biden in Washington

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP

Hunter Biden has already done a lot in his life that his father - after all, President of the United States of America - should have been uncomfortable with. The 51-year-old "First Son" was a frequent topic in Joe Biden and Donald Trump's election campaigns, among other things because of his drug history. But now the son could cause his father problems with a supposedly harmless hobby: White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki struggled on Friday to dispel concerns that the sale of Hunter Biden's paintings posed a risk of corruption.

The businessman and lawyer has recently been exhibiting his works in a New York gallery and is also offering them for sale.

According to media reports, the prices of the paintings are said to be between 75,000 and 500,000 US dollars.

Quite a considerable amount of money - and this is where the problem begins.

Critics warn that business people and others could only buy art from Hunter Biden in order to gain influence over his powerful father.

President Biden's office responded by announcing "adequate security precautions."

At exhibitions of Hunter's works, the sale of his paintings would be carried out by the gallery owner and the names of the buyers would be treated confidentially, said spokeswoman Psaki in early July.

At a press conference in the White House, Psaki was raised again on the subject. The journalists present were not convinced that the security measures were sufficient. Finally, buyers could personally tell Hunter Biden that they bought his work. Biden's spokeswoman then again emphasized that there would be "strict rules". "He won't know," she said. "He will not know who is buying his art." There is "no scenario" in which someone could influence the White House in this way.

Hunter Biden is one of former President Donald Trump's favorite destinations.

In the 2020 election campaign, the then incumbent had repeatedly emphasized the economic interests of the son of his challenger in Ukraine and China.

Investigations into tax offenses are also ongoing against the 51-year-old.

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